Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
Edited by Smith Magazine
Harper, 2008
256 pages
Ever since my rediscovery of the short story last year, I've noticed a growing fascination with all short literature forms. I recently marveled at Anthropology by Dan Rhodes - a collection of 101 love stories, each told in 101 words. So when Kim mention Six-Word Memoirs in a comment, I just had to check it out.
A few of my favorite six-word memoirs have already appeared in this Teaser Tuesday post. The wide range of feelings or tones that can be conveyed with only six words is amazing.
reflective:
A few of my favorite six-word memoirs have already appeared in this Teaser Tuesday post. The wide range of feelings or tones that can be conveyed with only six words is amazing.
reflective:
Fifty years so far. Happened fast. (Mark Michaelson)
humorous:
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? (Scott Mebous)
Verbal hemophilia. Why can't I clot? (Scott Mebous)
sad:
Young optimist: proven wrong.
Prematurely old. (Buzzy Porter)
hopeful:
Wife died young; on the mend. (Sumit Paul-Choudhury)
apologetic:
Mom, sorry I moved to U.S. (Yuri Fukazawz)
deep:
Even the quietest sounds make noise. (Paul Boggan)
There are many, many more 'memoirs' to discover for yourself. This slim volume will make you laugh... it will make you think. You may not need to own this one, but at least borrow it from your library or leaf through it next time you visit the bookstore.
I've heard such great things about this book! You wouldn't think it would be that difficult to describe your life in 6 words, but it is.
ReplyDeleteI'll definately be looking up Anthropology. :]
This sounds like such fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely great! I hadn't heard of this book till now, but I'll be sure to read it when I find it.
ReplyDelete'Young optimist: proven wrong.' is probably my favourite :)
Six words definitely classify it as a short story. I've tried writing a couple of them and they are fun. I'm also glad I discovered short stories. They are so satisfying to read.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO totally clever. Where did I read about this recently? Well, anyway, somewhere, I made an attempt at writing mine, at a creative moment. I need to see if I can find it! It is a fun exercise.
ReplyDeleteLove these!
ReplyDeleteRobby - I've tried coming up with 6 words, but it really is hard. Anthropology is not to be missed!
ReplyDeleteRhapsodyinbooks - This was a very entertaining little book!
Kals - I think there are actually a couple of these - the other is devoted to love and heartbreak.
Margot - I've been enjoying short stories so much... can't figure out why I avoided them all these years!
Sandy - Aren't these a riot? Such fun to read through...
DS - Me, too. Aren't they great?
Looks like another one that I need to read. I posted about Anthropology for my 6 Sentence review tomorrow..that was a fun book!
ReplyDeleteStaci - This was really fun to read through. Glad you liked Anthropology!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye - This probably isn't one you'd need to own... maybe you can get it from your library.
ReplyDelete